Add to your exploration of Africa with a classic safari in one of the continent’s oldest, largest and most spectacular game reserves: Kruger National Park. Search for the Big Five plus endangered African wild dogs and more on game drives led by professional safari guides.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day. Driving over bumpy terrain in safari vehicles for a few hours at a time.

Itinerary At-a-Glance

Kruger National Park, 3 nights; Johannesburg, 1 night.

Day 1 -3: Flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg / coach to Kruger National Park:

Set out on game drives to search for the Big Five (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros) plus endangered African wild dogs and more. Your professional safari guide is happy to share knowledge about all of the park’s flora and fauna. Two early morning game drives present great opportunities to see elusive predators that are more active at this cooler time of day. Enjoy evening meals under the stars to discuss your sightings that day, listen for the sounds of nocturnal animals and enjoy stories of life in the wilds of Africa. Lodging: Skuzuka Rest Camp, the “capital” of Kruger National Park, where amenities include a restaurant, shop, internet cafe and library.

Day 4: Coach to Johannesburg:

South Africa

Released from prison in 1990 after 27 years, Nelson Mandela adopted a policy of reconciliation and negotiation that guided South Africa’s transition from apartheid into a true democracy. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, he became the first South African to win the presidency in fully representative democratic elections. Today’s visitors find a kaleidoscopic of wildlife rivaled only by the cuisine, art and music of the nation’s diverse cultures.

Meals and Lodgings

Skukuza Rest Camp

Johannesburg, South Africa Kruger National Park, South Africa

3 nights

Metcourt Hotel at Emporers Palace

Johannesburg, South Africa

1 night

Skukuza Rest Camp

Type:

Lodge

Description:

Activities, attractions and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within Skukuza Rest Camp and the surrounding area. Skukuza Camp is an excellent rest camp from which to pursue the Big Five and birds in the vicinity. Lions are frequently spotted along this route. At night, look for the Fruit Bat that hangs under the eaves of the shop, and the Thick-tailed Bush Baby climbing the trees in search of gum.
The camp was originally known as Sabie Bridge or simply Reserve, the name was changed in 1936. Skukuza Rest Camp in Kruger National Park is named after the Tsonga name for James Stevenson-Hamilton, the first warden of the park. Literally translated it means 'he who sweeps clean', a reference to his removal of all the local people to make way for the establishment of the Park.
The Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Museum houses many interesting artifacts – very well known is the knife ranger Harry Wolhuter used to single-handedly slay a Lion and save his own life. Skukuza is the Kruger National Park's largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the southern banks of the Sabie River and is home to some interesting birds and amazing plant life.

the 3-star Peermont Metcourt at Emperors Palace offers stylish and comfortable rooms as well as a "group-friendly" experience for corporate, convention and leisure guests. The hotel offers a variety of room configurations and amenities which include LCD flat screen TV, satellite DSTV channels for all languages, tea and coffee stations, secure internet connections, laptop safe, working desk with business-convenient plug points.
The hotel's clean and modern façade is complimented by a private and sheltered pool terrace, set in a beautifully landscaped garden, providing guests with food and beverage service throughout the day. Specifications include a comfortable, large ground floor reception area with enough space to accommodate large tour and convention groups with ease. There is also an express-style deli for quick and convenient meals, a business centre with workstations and data connectivity for laptops, boardroom with state of the art facilities, and Wi-Fi internet access in public areas. The hotel also features the F.L.A.G Café and the 21° Cocktail Bar.

Required
documents:
The Participant Information Form is required. A Yellow Fever vaccination is required in South Africa if you are coming from country where Yellow Fever is a risk, even if you are just transiting through the airport. Participants continuing on to the main program (program #21040 or #21041) will be required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination.

Required
innoculations:
Yes: SOUTH AFRICA: Effective October 1, 2011, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers ≥ 1 year of age if traveling from or transiting through a country with risk of YFV transmission regardless of the amount of time spent at the airport. Unvaccinated travelers with a valid medical waiver will be allowed entry.
Malaria is present in Kruger National Park. Road Scholar recommends that you speak with a doctor to discuss options for Malaria prevention.

Parking
availability:
Driving to program is not recommended

Transportation

(For Independent Travelers)

To
Start of Program

Location:

Johannesburg

Nearest
city or town:

Johannesburg

Nearest
airport:

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

Transportation
to site:

Upon arrival to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, please proceed through immigration and customs, and then look for a Road Scholar representative who will assist the group.

From
End of Program

Location:

Johannesburg

Transportation
from site:

The Metcourt Hotel in Johannesburg offers a free shuttle to the airport. Your group leader and the hotel staff will assist you.

(Additional
transportation information
same as above)

Required innoculations:

Yes: SOUTH AFRICA: Effective October 1, 2011, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers ≥ 1 year of age if traveling from or transiting through a country with risk of YFV transmission regardless of the amount of time spent at the airport. Unvaccinated travelers with a valid medical waiver will be allowed entry.
Malaria is present in Kruger National Park. Road Scholar recommends that you speak with a doctor to discuss options for Malaria prevention.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Cape Town / Johannesburg / Kruger National Park(Tuesday, February 19)

Arrive To:

Morning flights from Cape Town arrive in Johannesburg

Morning:

You will be met at the airport and transferred to Kruger National Park. Check into the Skukuza Camp. Skukuza Camp is the capital of Kruger National Park. It is the biggest camp and includes facilities such as a shop, ATM, internet cafe, restaurant, library, fuel station and more. Skukuza Camp is an excellent rest camp from which to pursue the Big Five and birds in the vicinity. Lions are frequently spotted along this route.

Lunch:

Stop for lunch at one of the small towns en-route to the park.

Afternoon:

Your first afternoon will be spent driving inside Kruger searching for wild animals, accompanied by a professional guide, who gladly divulges information to you on the park's amazing diversity of wild and plant life.

Dinner:

Back at the camp in the late afternoon, the guide will begin preparing the evening meal under the stars and served by candlelight. Apart from the cooking your guide is of course available to identify all the nocturnal sounds you hear, and possibly entertain you with some amazing experiences encountered over many years of guiding in Africa.

The early morning wake up call signals the start of your second day at Kruger Park. After a cup of coffee and some snacks, your guide packs the vehicle and you begin your early morning drive. It's still really early in the morning, nice and cool, and the perfect time to spot elusive predators that at this time of the day are still very active. After a successful morning drive you stop at a picnic spot to enjoy a relaxed breakfast. After breakfast, continue driving searching for animals. You will find your guide to be a wealth of knowledge not only concentrating on the animals but also identifying birds, trees, insects and explains some of the park's fascinating geology. After a full morning's drive, return to the camp and have a couple of hours to relax during the hottest part of the day, when animals are generally less active and hiding from the midday sun.

Lunch:

Lunch at the camp

Afternoon:

In the late afternoon you will again embark upon a game drive which gives you an opportunity to hopefully spot some of the animals that have eluded you thus far.

Safaris are all about early mornings, getting out there and seeing animals. This morning is no exception and whilst you are leaving Kruger National Park today, there is still time for a couple of hours drive in hope of seeing and possibly photographing animals you have not yet seen. Your guide knows Kruger intimately and will focus on areas he knows produces animals you still need to see. It's not guaranteed, but you stand a good chance. Arrive in Johannesburg in the early afternoon and check into the hotel.

Using the free shuttle provided by the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flights back to North America

Meals
Included:

Breakfast

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

4 nights accommodations

11 meals:
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Field trips: 5

Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Flights during the program: 1

Flights during the program

Flights during the program that are included in the program price for all participants.

Plus these special experiences...

Visit world-renowned Kruger National Park for a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.

Early morning game drives included.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.

An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.

Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.